Blogging will be suspended while we try to subdue an invading tech gremlin. Damage so far is slight, the only casualty a printer. The Rifftides staff is doing everything possible to make sure that the incursion is terminated—with prejudice—and we send the troublemaker back to infinity, or wherever he came from.
In the meantime (sneaky transition), enjoy the classic Shorty Rogers recording of “Infinity Promenade.” Shelly Manne is the magician with cymbals. Soloists: Art Pepper, alto saxophone; Rogers, trumpet; Marty Paich, piano. What makes this recording, however, is not the soloists and not that repeated riff. It’s the mind-blowing double trumpet lead near the end by Conrad Gozzo and Maynard Ferguson, still a sort of gold standard for lead trumpeters.
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
Yes, that shout chorus never fails to exhilarate me. It’s long been one of my very favorite big band performances. Shorty was doing some really great writing in those days, and had the cream of the crop to play on his sessions.I find myself pulling out Shorty’s 50s sessions when I want to feel good.
Terrific tune! I think Art Pepper is one of my “go to” guys when I want to hear something challenging. He just gives me goosebumps with the intensity he projects. Beautiful cymbal work here by Manne. I remember the story about MIles going to Maynard and trying to figure out how to play high notes. Both had their strengths as musicians and I enjoy both their contributions. That’s something I’ve learned to do when it comes to music. I am less about rating “who’s better, who’s best” and more about accepting musicians in all their variety- A lesson I should have learned earlier because I ignored many styles because I listened to the wrong people. Now I am catching up..lol
Hadn’t heard this before. Great recording. Very “horny”.
Here’s a link to Shorty in 1959 on an educational production. He plays a couple of licks off cam and gets into some jazzspeak. Nevous, real nervous! Like dig this, man. It’s the most! Go to the 31-minute mark on the program.